Brachyglottis Senacio

donald.pow

I have a senacio plant in a sunny / partial shade spot in my garden. It’s taken from a plant in my mum’s garden, which continues to yellow flower profusely each summer. My flowered first year in, now no flowers for the past three years - despite otherwise looking super healthy. Any thoughts on why it’s reluctant to bloom?

Borderline

Could it be that it is not getting enough sun? They are great plants for foliage and can grow well in semi-shade, but the flowers are not usually the highlight. It may just need more sun on very free draining soil to get it to flower more.

donald.pow

*Mine*

donald.pow

Thanks Borderline. It’s in a west-facing spot that’s in the sun from from mid-morning onwards. Wondering whether perhaps the soil’s too rich or poor, acid or alkaline, etc?

Borderline

They do best on free draining soil. If you have regularly fed the soil or you garden on a clay based soil, it's very likely they will just put on more leaf. I'm assuming you have not pruned them in the last 2 years. Sometimes, pruning back at the wrong time can lead to no flowers. Provided you lightly pruned them last year, no later than autumn, they should flower this year.

donald.pow

‘Tis clay-based soil - and it is very leafy!